ACTING BRANCH HEAD, LIQUID FUELS OPERATIONS AND ANALYSIS BRANCH

DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17E(3) OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 FOR VARIATION TO AN EXISTING SECTION 13 APPROVAL TO ADD REGULATED PERSONS – VP RACING FUELS PTY LTD (EXPIRY 30 JUNE 2027)

I, Trent Kohlhagen, A/g Branch Head, Liquid Fuels Operations and Analysis Branch, delegate of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, provide the following information concerning my decision to vary an existing approval under section 13 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act).   

Name of approval holder 

VP Racing Fuels Pty Ltd (ABN 55 099 469 799)

Details of the existing approval 

The existing approval to VP Racing Fuels Pty Ltd was granted to vary the fuel standard for petrol as set out in the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 (Petrol Determination), so that fuels containing:  

• a maximum diisopropyl ether (DIPE) content of up to 25% v/v 

• a maximum methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) content of up to 55% v/v 

• a maximum olefins content of up to 55% v/v 

• a maximum oxygen content of up to 9.50% m/m 

is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the Petrol Determination in respect of the supply of specialised racing fuels.

The existing approval also varies the fuel standard for ethanol as set out in the Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol E85) Determination 2024 (E85 Determination), so that fuels containing: 

• a maximum ethers-5 or more C atoms content of up to 20% v/v   

is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the E85 Determination in respect of the supply of specialised racing fuels (Gazette C2025G00289).

The approval is in force from 10 June 2025 to 30 June 2027.

Details of the variation

Pursuant to subsection 17E(3) of the Act, this variation adds the following regulated person to the approval:

Period of operation 

The variation comes into force from the date of signature and remains in force until the end of the existing section 13 approval, of 30 June 2027. 

Summary of the reasons for the approval:

1.       The addition of one regulated person is not expected to materially impact the volumes of specialist racing fuels supplied by VP under its existing approval. Regulated persons must comply with any conditions imposed by the existing variation.
2.       Occupational and public health and safety risks resulting from short-term and intermittent use of these fuels will be minimised through the conditions of approval. Specialist racing fuels are supplied in sealed containers of up to a maximum of 200 litres capacity and are used in small quantities. Safety data sheets must be provided to each consumer outlining the health risks, and how to mitigate any associated risks.
3.        The fuels subject to this approval are not likely to have a significant impact on the health and safety of users as the volume of fuel used is low, highly controlled and confined to racing vehicles. These fuels will generally be used by competitors at events in large outdoor areas. 
4.       Specialist racing fuels meet the needs of a niche market for consumers who require the performance and operability characteristics provided by these fuels. If the supply of racing fuels in Australia is inadequate, racing participants would need to blend their own fuels, leading to increased environmental and safety risks to competitors and the community.

…………………………………………………………………………. 

Trent Kohlhagen
A/g Branch Head
Liquid Fuels Operations and Analysis Branch  
23 July 2025